1. “UP” Is Not A Disney Movie
That piece of land up north isn’t “Northern Michigan,” it’s UP. You’ll hear people say it pretty often, so don’t look like a newbie who doesn’t get the lingo.
2. Experiencing All Four Seasons in One Day
It’s like Michigan can never make up its mind. You'll see the sun shine, the rain pour, and the snow pile up all in the same day. There was even one instance when it snowed over a lake in the middle of Michigan on the Fourth of July. Strange? Yes. Normal? Definitely yes.
3. Vernors Ale Is Better Than Alka Seltzer
Ask anyone in Michigan about what to do regarding a tummy ache. Duh, you drink Vernors—known to many out-of-towners as "ginger ale." It's the best thing in the world. People even chug the stuff when they’ve got the flu.
4. Cedar Point Is The Best Thing In The World, Even If It's Not In Michigan
Ohio has to deal with all the Michiganders flocking to one of the greatest amusement parks in the entire universe: Cedar Point. It's just southeast of the border between Michigan and Ohio, but you could be living in Traverse City way up north and it'll only take you four hours to get down there.
5. The UM/Michigan State Game Is a Matter of Life and Death
Don't get between fans of U of M and Michigan State on game day. That's a no-no. And feel very sad for the dad who has to wear a U of M cap and a Michigan State sweater because his two daughters went to both schools.
6. Bumpy Roads Make For Fatter Pockets and More Fun
Seriously. They feel like roller coasters. Except for that "pothole" over in Ferndale.
7. It's Okay To Get Canadian Coins For Change
You might be a bit perplexed to see those tiny Canadian coins in your hand when getting your change for those Better Made Chips. Because Canada's so close to the edge of Detroit, it's no surprise that the state easily swaps between countries. Don't fret.
8. Faygo Beats Pepsi and Coke Any Day of the Week
This Michigan-based fizzy pop will grow on you, especially since these cans and bottles cost less than your standard soft drink fare. Even better are the variety of flavors. Keep an eye out during Christmas and you just might find a Candy Apple bottle.
9. Your Hand's Practically A Map Of Your New Home State
It’s pretty easy to travel around Michigan when you think about it. The "thumb" is the east side, Detroit sits south, and the fingers up top are where Traverse City and Mackinac Island point UP. Makes sense, right? (The UP sort of looks like a bird trying to fly away).
10. Rainfall Smells Like Rotten Beer
Seriously, that’s what it’ll remind you of. Some say it's the sign of one of Michigan's freakish thunderstorms. Others think it just smells. When the rain falls and the clouds get a little thicker, you'll smell it, too.
11. How to Spot Your Car Under Eight Feet of Snow
You will develop your own internal radar for your car, guaranteed. When that lake effect snow piles on you’ll come to know which hill is actually your vehicle. It's kind of like Michigan magic.
12. Venison Is the Best Meat You'll Ever Taste
Deer season is big in Michigan, so don't be surprised if you start getting a hankering for good ol' fashioned venison. If you’ve never had it, you’ll get hooked fast.
13. "Mackinac" and "Mackinaw” Actually Sound the Same
Some say "Mack-in-ack," and others say "Mack-in-awe." In reality the only "Mackinac" is the Mackinac Bridge, which many call the "Big Mac.” Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Straits, and Mackinaw City, however, are all pronounced with an "awe" at the end. Aren’t you glad I told you?
14. It'll Take Several Years To Learn To Play Euchre
This game might just be better than poker. At first you'll think you're on a different planet as you sit with Michiganders for a friendly game of Euchre, but give yourself a few years and you just might get the gist of at least a bit of this game.
15. The S.S. Badger Isn't Just a Transport Across Lake Michigan
If you just want a quick ride across the lake, take Muskegon's Lake Express. If you want an adventure, that's what Ludington's S.S. Badger is for. There's a movie theater, a small casino, a bar, and satellite television.
16. Belle Isle Is a Magical Place for One Reason
Only here on this whimsical little island right off the coast of Detroit can you actually see Canada on the other side. This island sits right on the Detroit River, separating the United States mainland from the Canadians. You can feel like you're located in both countries.
17. You Really Can Eat as Much Chicken as You Want at the Bavarian Inn
This is a restaurant where you'll feel like you're getting six, seven, eight, even nine courses in a meal. Make it a vacation and just prepare yourself for a lot of chicken.
18. How to Traverse the Sand Dunes Without Cramping
Lots of state parks and campgrounds near the coast have big sand dunes, but they can’t begin to rival the golden mountains of Ludington and Holland. You'll develop some serious muscles walking across those dunes just to get to Lake Michigan.
19. Western Michigan Is Basically A Miniature Netherlands
You’ll probably know the Vandermeers, Van Deidens, Vandermolens, Van Winkles, Vanderwildens and Van Amedes, all on your street. The Dutch were also responsible for launching the well-known CRC (The Christian Reformed Church) in Michigan.
20. Bimbo Bakery Smells Like Heaven
Nothing beats the fresh smell of baked bread, and no place is better than the Bimbo Bakery on 28th Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s the headquarters for Sara Lee Bread and other baked goods, so no wonder the smell draws people in like flies. Bimbo Bakery is king.
21. Detroit Lions Fans Are… Very Faithful
You'll never insult a Detroit Lion. Even if the football team's sucking huge, keep your mouth shut. They'll stare at the TV and pray that the team gets at least one field goal. Just one.
22. How To Do A "Michigan Left"
"Michigan lefts" are inevitable—in that there's no avoiding them. It’s really nothing more than a fancy U-turn on a highway with a median. They're convenient, but remember: The point of a "Michigan left" is so that you can turn left on a street. That's all.
23. Getting Locked In Is Actually Awesome
More commonly on the western side of the state, youth groups with their hayrides and lock-ins are a plethora and abundance. You ride in the back of a truck with a bunch of hay, and then you and your kids will get "locked" inside your church for the night to "sleep over." Let's not forget those fantastic Michigan apples at the local orchard to pick the morning after.
24. You Won't Need a Car on Mackinac Island
It may be the only island in existence allowing horse carriage rides throughout the region and no cars. None. There will be taxis, but that's about it. You will, in fact, have no choice but to leave your car at Mackinaw City to take the ferry to the island.
25. The Lighthouses Are Just as Functional as They Are Touristy
You'll notice that a ton of people like visiting those lighthouses like Big Sable, Little Sable, Pointe aux Barques, Big Bay Point, Holland Harbor, Old Mackinac, and Point Betsie, taking numerous pictures of these structures as if they were celebrities. They are. They're also operational. Wait until sundown, and you'll see.
What’s something you learned living in Michigan? Tell us in the comments below! 
